Hegseth heads to Manila to shore up US ties with Asia-Pacific partners
Summary
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is traveling to the Philippines for the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus, where officials will discuss regional security and defense ties. The talks come amid South China Sea tensions and questions about Washington’s commitment to the region after shifting some military assets to the Middle East during its conflict with Iran.Key Facts
- The meeting runs from Wednesday to Thursday in the Philippines and brings together ASEAN members and eight dialogue partners.
- India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and China are among the countries expected to send representatives.
- The agenda includes Myanmar’s civil war and maritime disputes involving China and Southeast Asian countries.
- The Philippines is expected to press ASEAN to finalize a code of conduct with China for managing South China Sea disputes.
- The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
- The U.S. Naval Institute reported at least eight close encounters in the South China Sea and nearby Luzon Strait this month.
- China has not confirmed whether Defense Minister Dong Jun will attend in person; analysts say a meeting with Hegseth is possible.
- U.S. military asset moves from South Korea and Japan to the Middle East have raised questions in Asia about Washington’s regional commitment.
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